Summer is officially here. While many people love this season, there’s no denying it can be expensive. Among all the costs associated with summer vacations, outdoor BBQs, and entertaining the kids, things can add up quickly. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed financially, but thankfully, we have some of the best saving tips for summer that just might help you out in this blog post.
Best Saving Tips for Summer
Consider some of the following tips this summer to help you save.
Create A Summer Budget
The very first step in saving money this summer is to create a budget and stick to it. Budgeting for the summer can allow you to track your spending and eliminate unnecessary expenses while still leaving some room for fun!
For example, do you really need that Starbucks before work every morning? Probably not. If you take a careful look at your expenses, you might be able to find things to cut out. By removing what you don’t need, this money could be redirected to support those big summer plans you have or want!
How to Create a Budget
Creating a budget might sound complicated at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five easy steps you can take to create your summer budget and save money:
- Calculate your net income.
- List all your fixed expenses and variable expenses, including all the things you would ideally like to do this summer.
- Work out how much you can afford to spend.
- Adjust your variable expenses accordingly.
- Review your budget regularly.
While we would love to pretend that cutting expenses is easy, let’s be honest. It’s harder than ever. Inflation has us paying more on just about all our necessities, so it’ll take some creativity to find ways to save, but that’s where we can possibly help. Head to our blog post here to help you craft your own budget.
Use Cashback Apps to Shop
If you aren’t using Cashback apps, you could be missing out on one of the best ways to save money, and not just during the summer! Cashback apps provide rebates on anything you shop for through their apps, or earn you points every time you shop, which you can then redeem for gift cards.
What are the Best Cashback Apps?
Some of the best cashback apps to use this summer include:
It can take some time to build up these points to redeem, but a lot of big companies participate on these apps. For example, a few thousand points on Fetch Rewards may get you discounts at fast-food restaurants and even Amazon. All you have to do is scan your receipts from the grocery store or other store purchases. You could even get extra points if you buy certain items. It takes discipline to scan your receipts, but it’s worth it when a $25 gift card pops up!
Save On Gas
We know. The cost of gasoline is infuriating right now, but unfortunately for most, it’s also a necessity. Luckily, there are some helpful tips to save on gas below.
How to Save on Gas
Here are a few things you can do to help save on gas money this summer:
- Use apps like Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas station near you.
- Avoid heavy acceleration and maintain a steady speed using cruise control when possible.
- Fill up the tank at the beginning of the week as prices tend to go up towards the weekend.
- Check your tire pressure as under-inflated tires can cause your car to burn fuel faster.
- Use GetUpside©* to find gas stations offering cashback and discounts.
Reduce Your Energy Bill
When the temperatures start to rise, you might have no choice but to crank up the air-conditioner, especially if you live in a region prone to heat waves. Having the kids home from school can make things even more expensive as you work to keep the house as cool as possible for everyone who is home.
How to Save on Your Energy Bill
Here are a few easy tips to save money on your energy bill this summer:
Keep Your Blinds or Curtains Closed
While living in a bright space and having natural light fill the room on a summer day can feel nice, this is exactly how your rooms can get so hot. So, make sure to draw your blinds or curtains during the hottest hours of the day to prevent cool air from escaping and heat from seeping in.
Use A Programmable Thermostat
Most people don’t realize how much can be saved by installing and programming their thermostat. You’ll automatically be able to set the thermostat to a lower temperature when you leave for work, go out of town, or even go to sleep at night. Experts say that turning your thermostat back 7°-10° for 8 hours a day from its normal setting can save you as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling, which means savings in your pocketbook!*
Turn Up the Temperature
It’s tempting to crank your air conditioning when it’s hot outside, but the bigger the difference between the outside and inside temperature, the harder your air conditioner unit will have to work to keep your house cool. And this will result in a higher energy bill. According to the Department of Energy, 78°F is the ideal balance between comfort and energy savings.*
Run Appliances at Night
Did you know running major appliances at night is an energy saver? Next time you need to run the dishwasher or throw a load of clothes in the washing machine, wait until the sun goes down! The cooler the temperature is, the less your appliances must work to get the job done.
Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
Replacing your air filter is one of the easiest things you can do to make sure that your A/C runs smoothly, and it’s a step that’s often overlooked for far too long. Dirty filters can block normal airflow and reduce your unit’s ability to absorb heat. Plus, a dirty filter adds to allergens in the air, so make sure to replace those filters regularly.
Best Saving Tips for Summer
By following these money-saving tips, you can enjoy a fun and memorable summer without overspending. Whether you’re planning a staycation, hosting a BBQ, or exploring your local area, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the season without breaking the bank.
*High-interest loans can be expensive and should be used only for short-term financial needs, not long-term solutions. Customers with credit difficulties should seek credit counseling. The opinions expressed above are solely the author’s views and may or may not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the website or its affiliates. Cash Factory USA does not provide financial advice.
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